Main Cast: David Soul, James Mason, Lance Kerwin, Reggie Nalder
Release Year: 1979
Country: US
Run Time: 112 minutes
Plot
Novelist David Soul returns to his hometown of Salem, finding that things have changed a bit. More than a bit, in fact: the previously warm and friendly community is downright sinister. Soul suspects that the bizarre behavior of his onetime friends and neighbors is the handiwork of oddball antique dealer James Mason. We won't reveal here the secret of Salem; suffice to say that the action goes directly to the jugular, and that makeup artists Jack Young and Ben Lane won an Emmy nomination. Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, Salem's Lot was originally telecast in two parts on November 17 and 24, 1979; it was subsequently pared down to a single three-hour installment, which in turn was whittled down to about two hours for cable-TV play. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Tobe Hooper's lengthy made-for-TV adaptation of Stephen King's creepy vampire novel is necessarily toned-down from its source (as well as cutting most of its frightening focus on the evil Marsten House), but remains entertaining. James Mason is delightfully sinister as the King Vampire's assistant, while Lance Kerwin (then the hot star of TV's James at 15) is engaging and believable as the young Mark Petrie. Drawbacks include David Soul's cardboard lead performance and the ridiculous blue-rat faux-Nosferatu makeup job on villain Reggie Nalder, but Mason's creepy turn and some clever direction by Hooper make the film work despite its flaws. Salem's Lot is available in its original miniseries form or a shorter version released theatrically in Europe. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
Tobe Hooper - Director, Tom Pryor - Editor, Stirling Silliphant - Executive Producer, Nicholas Pike - Composer (Music Score), Harry Sukman - Composer (Music Score), Mort Rabinowitz - Production Designer, Jules Brenner - Cinematographer, Richard Kobritz - Producer, Paul Monash - Screenwriter, Stephen King - Book Author
